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Ancient Rome #3
The Song of the Gladiator
313 AD, and tempers are rising in Rome. The Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena are trying to make sense of the new Christian religion which is spreading through the Empire - but the Christians can't agree among themselves. Scholars are locked in a bitter struggle over whether Christ really was the son of God, and Constantine invites delegates from both sides to debate before him at his villa.
Now strange things start to happen. Envoys from both sides are found murdered in a most macabre way. The villa is secretly attacked, and the Holy Sword is stolen. Helena calls on the help of her secret agent Claudia - that shrewd, unobtrusive detective - to untangle the dangerous web of intrigue. As she sets to work, the spy is also facing a crisis in her own life...
Now strange things start to happen. Envoys from both sides are found murdered in a most macabre way. The villa is secretly attacked, and the Holy Sword is stolen. Helena calls on the help of her secret agent Claudia - that shrewd, unobtrusive detective - to untangle the dangerous web of intrigue. As she sets to work, the spy is also facing a crisis in her own life...
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
35 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
263 books611 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 20, 2021
Read this book in 2008, and its the 2nd volume of the marvellous Ancient Rome series, featuring Claudia as Spy for Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena.
Set once again in AD 313, and this mystery will set the Christian faith and their followers on fire.
Locked into a bitter struggle between themselves about the theological debate whether Christ was really the Son of God, these Christians now turn to Emperor Constantine hoping to end this struggle of deviate opinions.
Inviting delegates from both factions within his villa, and debate the issues, murders will start to happen on both sides and the Holy Sword is stolen.
Called in to help to solve this mysterious cases of murder and the stolen Holy Sword, Claudia will find not only a web of intrigue on her path but also problems of her own.
Shrewdly and determinedly Claudia will set out to discover the person that is responsible of all these troubles and after some twists and turns, and executed with a superbly worked out plot, she will be able to identify this guilty person, and restore order to the Roman Empire of Emperor Constantine.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent addition to this wonderful mini-series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Claudia Sequel"!
Set once again in AD 313, and this mystery will set the Christian faith and their followers on fire.
Locked into a bitter struggle between themselves about the theological debate whether Christ was really the Son of God, these Christians now turn to Emperor Constantine hoping to end this struggle of deviate opinions.
Inviting delegates from both factions within his villa, and debate the issues, murders will start to happen on both sides and the Holy Sword is stolen.
Called in to help to solve this mysterious cases of murder and the stolen Holy Sword, Claudia will find not only a web of intrigue on her path but also problems of her own.
Shrewdly and determinedly Claudia will set out to discover the person that is responsible of all these troubles and after some twists and turns, and executed with a superbly worked out plot, she will be able to identify this guilty person, and restore order to the Roman Empire of Emperor Constantine.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent addition to this wonderful mini-series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Claudia Sequel"!
December 13, 2023
Really enjoyed this the second.book.about Claudia the spy who is in the service of tHe Empress Helena. I wish I could have given it five stars but two things stopped me. First, a glaring continuity error. A character (one of the main characters) Anastasius, he works for the Empress and has a close relationship with Claudia. When we meet him in book one his is depicted as a mute, during the reign of a previous Emperor he was tortured and they removed his tongue. Ok and behold in this book Anastasius has regrown his tongue and can speak. I was puzzled at first and kept going back and forth thinking there must be two Anastasius'. THen two, as with the previous book in the series I worked.out the answers to the mysteries (who stole the sword, who was the murderer) pretty easily, which, for me, takes away some of the enjoyment of reading a mystery. I love the books where you get to thefinal.chapter and are amazed at the soloution, the end of Murder on the Orient Express is a prime example. But, Claudia and Murranus (her gladiator beau) are lovely characters. The uncle.and aunt with their inn and regular.customer's (who are more of a family) make the books than reads, even though they can get a bit gruesome as is to be expected of Roman times. So it's off to book three where I hope for a happy ending for Claudia and Murranus I think they've earned it........................
July 25, 2022
What is truth??
Well that was very interesting to read. There is some truth to this tail of Christians in Roman history. Not a bad story at all.
Well that was very interesting to read. There is some truth to this tail of Christians in Roman history. Not a bad story at all.
June 21, 2018
Втората книга за премеждията на симпатичната тайна агентка на Елена – Клавдия, продължава да държи високото ниво на предишните две книги от цикъла за Древен Рим, въпреки че Дохърти показва вече наченки на загуба на интерес и лека-полека ни вкарва в познатия си шаблон за разследвания, вместо в шпионските интриги, които преливаха в предишната книга.
Император Константин има сериозни проблеми с броженията между християните, които майка му иска да подслони под имперското си крило. За това организират закрит дебат с теологични оратори, но всичко се обърква, когато те започват да измират един по един. Елена привиква най-наблюдателната си агентка, за да разплете загадката. Клавдия обаче има и други проблеми. Приятелят и гладиатор е натопен за отравяне на арената, а и още не е открила убиеца на брат си. За капак на всичко от лятната вила на императора изчезва една от най-ценните християнски реликви – мечът с който е резната манерката на Павел, с чиято помощ (на меча, не на Павел) Елена смята да примами неориентирани християни към себе си. Всички загадки се оказват малко или много свързани с голямото гонене на християните от преди 150 години и две школи в Капула – една гладиаторска и една по омилетика.
Император Константин има сериозни проблеми с броженията между християните, които майка му иска да подслони под имперското си крило. За това организират закрит дебат с теологични оратори, но всичко се обърква, когато те започват да измират един по един. Елена привиква най-наблюдателната си агентка, за да разплете загадката. Клавдия обаче има и други проблеми. Приятелят и гладиатор е натопен за отравяне на арената, а и още не е открила убиеца на брат си. За капак на всичко от лятната вила на императора изчезва една от най-ценните християнски реликви – мечът с който е резната манерката на Павел, с чиято помощ (на меча, не на Павел) Елена смята да примами неориентирани християни към себе си. Всички загадки се оказват малко или много свързани с голямото гонене на християните от преди 150 години и две школи в Капула – една гладиаторска и една по омилетика.
August 8, 2022
3.5
Decidí redondear a las 4 estrellas porque el libro es bueno, tan lleno de detalles y con una protagonista astuta… el problema soy yo y las novelas detectivescas, no soy buena manteniendo mi interés ni mi concentración.
Decidí redondear a las 4 estrellas porque el libro es bueno, tan lleno de detalles y con una protagonista astuta… el problema soy yo y las novelas detectivescas, no soy buena manteniendo mi interés ni mi concentración.
April 6, 2021
Esta novela de Paul C. Doherty forma parte de su serie de novelas históricas de misterio ambientadas en la Antigua Roma con la espía e investigadora Claudia como protagonista. Se trata de la novela que continúa la narración de Asesinato imperial, aunque La canción del gladiador puede leerse de manera totalmente independiente de esta, puesto que no es necesario ningún conocimiento sobre los personajes o los acontecimientos anteriores.
Doherty utiliza un estilo sencillo con narrador omnisciente y con abundantes diálogos que resultan en una lectura ágil y amena. Los personajes son más bien planos, quedando perfectamente descritos en sus primeras apariciones, salvo algunas excepciones inesperadas que, sin duda, enriquecen la trama. A pesar de la sencillez, las descripciones de los espacios, manjares y atuendos resultan ricas y precisas, situando perfectamente al lector en la época histórica en la que se enmarca la obra. Los numerosos detalles en las descripciones sensoriales transportan la imaginación a esta antigüedad clásica que parece conocer tan bien el autor. Es de destacar la imagen que transmite Doherty de la ciudad de Roma con sus hediondos olores, vistosos colores y extravagantes personajes callejeros. Por otro lado, el detalle descriptivo de las emociones y gestos parece correcto y añade cierta tensión en algunas ocasiones.
En lo que concierne a la trama, esta parece desarrollarse con un ritmo constante que se ve incrementado durante los sucesos críticos que aceleran la lectura. El autor no utiliza giros inesperados ni temporalizaciones complejas, presentado un desarrollo bastante lineal de los acontecimientos. El desarrollo de la trama lleva a una resolución del conflicto que se siente forzada, sin que el lector pueda prever ningún detalle, pero a la vez sin resultar sorprendente o inesperada. Aunque Claudia parece asumir el rol de la Sherlock Holmes romana con sus lógicas conclusiones, estas se sienten alejadas de la acción narrada. Quizás un reflejo de los pensamientos de Claudia acerca de los sospechosos de los asesinatos y robos que acontecen, podría haber añadido mayor suspense y protagonismo del lector, que no se siente involucrado en la resolución del misterio. Precisamente esta carencia de apelación al lector hace que la novela no resulte tan absorbente.
En este aspecto, el propósito del autor probablemente es el desarrollo de una vívida imagen de las intrigas políticas de poder en el imperio romano tardío entrelazado con el cristianismo prematuro, más que la generación de grandes dosis de suspense. Las reflexiones internas de los personajes acerca de esta nueva religión que gana adeptos a su alrededor resultan enriquecedoras y permiten dar cuenta de una época en la que, gracias a métodos políticos poco ortodoxos, el cristianismo logró imponerse. Por lo tanto, la reflexión de fondo que puede esconder la lectura es la oscura relación que tuvo desde sus orígenes el cristianismo con el poder, haciendo uso de la astucia política para conseguir mayor influencia y dominio. Por otro lado, la novela refleja que las historias cristianas de los apóstoles, mártires y santos resultaban útiles para conseguir mayor cantidad de fieles, como puede inferirse de la tentación hacia el cristianismo que sienten algunos personajes y de la relación con el mismo que tienen otros. Esta dualidad aparentemente contradictoria del cristianismo entre la consecución del poder y la pureza de los valores queda sutilmente plasmada en la novela, siendo uno de los grandes logros de la misma.
En cuanto a la traducción, esta da la sensación de capturar la esencia narrativa de Doherty con un léxico descriptivo rico en matices con algunos adjetivos poco comunes. Las numerosas palabras y expresiones latinas sin traducir que se presentan en la novela parecen ser reflejo del original.
La edición proporciona una lectura ágil gracias a los amplios márgenes, el tipo y tamaño de la fuente y las páginas en blanco entre capítulos. Por ello, resulta acertada para lectores poco acostumbrados a tener grandes volúmenes entre manos. Las páginas pasan rápido dando la sensación de haber leído mucho texto en poco tiempo. Un detalle adicional que facilita la comprensión de la trama es la inclusión de la relación de los personajes principales de la novela al inicio del libro.
En definitiva, por todo lo expuesto en la reseña, recomendaría el libro a los lectores interesados en acercarse a la época histórica del cristianismo en la Roma del siglo IV, más que a los que disfrutan de intrincadas tramas de suspense y misterio. En mi opinión, los grandes méritos de la novela son las descripciones tan llenas de vitalidad y la imagen que se transmite del cristianismo primitivo.
Doherty utiliza un estilo sencillo con narrador omnisciente y con abundantes diálogos que resultan en una lectura ágil y amena. Los personajes son más bien planos, quedando perfectamente descritos en sus primeras apariciones, salvo algunas excepciones inesperadas que, sin duda, enriquecen la trama. A pesar de la sencillez, las descripciones de los espacios, manjares y atuendos resultan ricas y precisas, situando perfectamente al lector en la época histórica en la que se enmarca la obra. Los numerosos detalles en las descripciones sensoriales transportan la imaginación a esta antigüedad clásica que parece conocer tan bien el autor. Es de destacar la imagen que transmite Doherty de la ciudad de Roma con sus hediondos olores, vistosos colores y extravagantes personajes callejeros. Por otro lado, el detalle descriptivo de las emociones y gestos parece correcto y añade cierta tensión en algunas ocasiones.
En lo que concierne a la trama, esta parece desarrollarse con un ritmo constante que se ve incrementado durante los sucesos críticos que aceleran la lectura. El autor no utiliza giros inesperados ni temporalizaciones complejas, presentado un desarrollo bastante lineal de los acontecimientos. El desarrollo de la trama lleva a una resolución del conflicto que se siente forzada, sin que el lector pueda prever ningún detalle, pero a la vez sin resultar sorprendente o inesperada. Aunque Claudia parece asumir el rol de la Sherlock Holmes romana con sus lógicas conclusiones, estas se sienten alejadas de la acción narrada. Quizás un reflejo de los pensamientos de Claudia acerca de los sospechosos de los asesinatos y robos que acontecen, podría haber añadido mayor suspense y protagonismo del lector, que no se siente involucrado en la resolución del misterio. Precisamente esta carencia de apelación al lector hace que la novela no resulte tan absorbente.
En este aspecto, el propósito del autor probablemente es el desarrollo de una vívida imagen de las intrigas políticas de poder en el imperio romano tardío entrelazado con el cristianismo prematuro, más que la generación de grandes dosis de suspense. Las reflexiones internas de los personajes acerca de esta nueva religión que gana adeptos a su alrededor resultan enriquecedoras y permiten dar cuenta de una época en la que, gracias a métodos políticos poco ortodoxos, el cristianismo logró imponerse. Por lo tanto, la reflexión de fondo que puede esconder la lectura es la oscura relación que tuvo desde sus orígenes el cristianismo con el poder, haciendo uso de la astucia política para conseguir mayor influencia y dominio. Por otro lado, la novela refleja que las historias cristianas de los apóstoles, mártires y santos resultaban útiles para conseguir mayor cantidad de fieles, como puede inferirse de la tentación hacia el cristianismo que sienten algunos personajes y de la relación con el mismo que tienen otros. Esta dualidad aparentemente contradictoria del cristianismo entre la consecución del poder y la pureza de los valores queda sutilmente plasmada en la novela, siendo uno de los grandes logros de la misma.
En cuanto a la traducción, esta da la sensación de capturar la esencia narrativa de Doherty con un léxico descriptivo rico en matices con algunos adjetivos poco comunes. Las numerosas palabras y expresiones latinas sin traducir que se presentan en la novela parecen ser reflejo del original.
La edición proporciona una lectura ágil gracias a los amplios márgenes, el tipo y tamaño de la fuente y las páginas en blanco entre capítulos. Por ello, resulta acertada para lectores poco acostumbrados a tener grandes volúmenes entre manos. Las páginas pasan rápido dando la sensación de haber leído mucho texto en poco tiempo. Un detalle adicional que facilita la comprensión de la trama es la inclusión de la relación de los personajes principales de la novela al inicio del libro.
En definitiva, por todo lo expuesto en la reseña, recomendaría el libro a los lectores interesados en acercarse a la época histórica del cristianismo en la Roma del siglo IV, más que a los que disfrutan de intrincadas tramas de suspense y misterio. En mi opinión, los grandes méritos de la novela son las descripciones tan llenas de vitalidad y la imagen que se transmite del cristianismo primitivo.
June 19, 2023
La novela es de agradable lectura. El autor muestra conocimiento de la época Romana en la que se desarrolla la trama y aporta abundantes descripciones del ambiente que sitúan adecuadamente al lector en el lugar de donde se desarrolla la acción.
El problema que hay con esto es que sus descripciones no contribuyen a mantener el interés en la trama y la lectura se hace lenta y tediosa. En más de una ocasión brinqué párrafos enteros de descripciones para intentar mantener el interés en aquello que estaba sucediendo. En varias ocasiones estuve tentado a dejar la lectura por completo.
Los personajes son planos, sin chiste y dudo de la veracidad (al fin es una novela histórica ¿no?) de Claudia, el personaje principal y una especie de Sherlock Holmes del Imperio Romano. La información, relevante al misterio de los asesinatos perpetrados, y motivo de la novela, se proporciona al lector a cuenta gotas solo para revelarse en las últimas cinco páginas del libro que deja una sensación de Deus Ex Machina (aún sin serlo).
No hay emoción, giros inesperados ni acción que te mantengan pegado a la lectura de la novela. No pienso leer más de este autor.
El problema que hay con esto es que sus descripciones no contribuyen a mantener el interés en la trama y la lectura se hace lenta y tediosa. En más de una ocasión brinqué párrafos enteros de descripciones para intentar mantener el interés en aquello que estaba sucediendo. En varias ocasiones estuve tentado a dejar la lectura por completo.
Los personajes son planos, sin chiste y dudo de la veracidad (al fin es una novela histórica ¿no?) de Claudia, el personaje principal y una especie de Sherlock Holmes del Imperio Romano. La información, relevante al misterio de los asesinatos perpetrados, y motivo de la novela, se proporciona al lector a cuenta gotas solo para revelarse en las últimas cinco páginas del libro que deja una sensación de Deus Ex Machina (aún sin serlo).
No hay emoción, giros inesperados ni acción que te mantengan pegado a la lectura de la novela. No pienso leer más de este autor.
September 18, 2025
Ако трябва да оценявам историческата картина - 5/5. Пол Дохърти разказва, все едно довчера е живял в Древен Рим.
Ако обаче трябва да се оценяват героите 2/5 - особено женските персонажи са абсолютно картонени. Всички са "кучки" (his words, not mine) освен главната героиня. Обиждат се на кучки, наричат се сами кучки и всяко тяхно безумно действие се извинява с "Ах, такава съм кучка". Малко ми дойде в повече. А самите чувства и преживявания също бяха феноменални - в едно изречение главната героиня се чувстваше "отегчена, изморена и уплашена". Аз като бесен Близнак имам капацитет да изпитвам повече от едно чувство едновременно, ама тези трите наведнъж и мен ще ме озорят.
Откъм мистерия - биваше, но ми се искаше малко повече мистерия и по-малко "Основаване и първоначални борби за надмощие в Ранноримската Църква".
Две книги ми ос��ават от поредицата и сигурно ще ги дочета, но повече заради историческите детайли, отколкото заради героите.
Ако обаче трябва да се оценяват героите 2/5 - особено женските персонажи са абсолютно картонени. Всички са "кучки" (his words, not mine) освен главната героиня. Обиждат се на кучки, наричат се сами кучки и всяко тяхно безумно действие се извинява с "Ах, такава съм кучка". Малко ми дойде в повече. А самите чувства и преживявания също бяха феноменални - в едно изречение главната героиня се чувстваше "отегчена, изморена и уплашена". Аз като бесен Близнак имам капацитет да изпитвам повече от едно чувство едновременно, ама тези трите наведнъж и мен ще ме озорят.
Откъм мистерия - биваше, но ми се искаше малко повече мистерия и по-малко "Основаване и първоначални борби за надмощие в Ранноримската Църква".
Две книги ми ос��ават от поредицата и сигурно ще ги дочета, но повече заради историческите детайли, отколкото заради героите.
August 20, 2017
Ah! An improvement!
The second time around young Claudia is getting a real private eye feel about her. Like a mixture between Marcus Didius Falco (doing work for the Empire), Miss Marple (figuring out who the murderer is) and Jonathan Creek (going to town with an "impossible" theft).
Adding a bit of humour also makes for a more entertaining read than last time - Narcissus the Neat for instance is a charming new acquaintance - and roaming around the Emperor's summer palace, finding all kinds of corpses and mischief, almost feels like a good old fashioned country house murder mystery under way, a country house weekend where Cato and Macro would have felt right at home that is.
The book is perhaps a little bit to long as it sags somewhat towards the end, fighting hard to cram in the gladiator sideline as well, not forgetting about the abominable man with the chalice tattoo (however much I would have liked to have put his high strung presence from my mind), but I'm in a good mood all the same and dishing out 4 stars seems appropriate right now.
The second time around young Claudia is getting a real private eye feel about her. Like a mixture between Marcus Didius Falco (doing work for the Empire), Miss Marple (figuring out who the murderer is) and Jonathan Creek (going to town with an "impossible" theft).
Adding a bit of humour also makes for a more entertaining read than last time - Narcissus the Neat for instance is a charming new acquaintance - and roaming around the Emperor's summer palace, finding all kinds of corpses and mischief, almost feels like a good old fashioned country house murder mystery under way, a country house weekend where Cato and Macro would have felt right at home that is.
The book is perhaps a little bit to long as it sags somewhat towards the end, fighting hard to cram in the gladiator sideline as well, not forgetting about the abominable man with the chalice tattoo (however much I would have liked to have put his high strung presence from my mind), but I'm in a good mood all the same and dishing out 4 stars seems appropriate right now.
April 11, 2025
Chaos
Another great read from Paul Doherty. The Song of the Gladiator continues the story of Claudia in early 4th century Rome. Eastern and Western Empire at war, Christians conflicting and fighting, Constantine has ended the persecution of Christians in the western Empire, but there are many scores to be settled. Claudia has much to do in addition to worrying about her favorite gladiator. Her uncle and the patrons at the She Ass tavern are supportive, and Claudia worries about them, too.
I really enjoyed this book. Dr. Doherty has created another endearing character in Claudia.
Another great read from Paul Doherty. The Song of the Gladiator continues the story of Claudia in early 4th century Rome. Eastern and Western Empire at war, Christians conflicting and fighting, Constantine has ended the persecution of Christians in the western Empire, but there are many scores to be settled. Claudia has much to do in addition to worrying about her favorite gladiator. Her uncle and the patrons at the She Ass tavern are supportive, and Claudia worries about them, too.
I really enjoyed this book. Dr. Doherty has created another endearing character in Claudia.
October 23, 2017
Second time out for the Rebus de Agent, Claudia. The story rattles along with several plot lines all coming together in a satisfactory way at the end of the novel. Some interesting bits of history are thrown in along the way which add interest and depth. My only grumble is with the editing - I'm pretty sure that when we are introduced to Claudia's gladiator in the first book, he was a revealed as a secret agent and he knows that Claudia is as well. Yet in this book he keeps asking her if she is a spy? I found this slightly irritating hence 4 stars rather than 5.
March 21, 2021
.. about Ancient Rome
I liked it
{316 pages}
I liked it
{316 pages}
October 22, 2023
Far better than the first one, it was an engaging read even if too many separate mysteries are packed together. Claudia is not really a spy but a classic private detective in this one. Also, I am enjoying Empress Helena portrayed as a clever bitch.
Not a great literature, by any means, but a good one for buffs of historical crime fiction.
Not a great literature, by any means, but a good one for buffs of historical crime fiction.
April 5, 2014
This one was a slow starter for me and then I couldn't put it down!
Set in the reign of Emperor Constantine when Christianity is no longer proscribed but not yet the official religion. Young Claudia agent of Empress Helena is summoned to the imperial summer residence to solve the mystery of a stolen holy relic. The villa is hosting a debate between rival Christian factions as to whether God is the Trinity or if Jesus is a lesser person. Then someone starts killing off the Christian debators in horrifying fashions... Claudia now has 2 things to solve...
Meanwhile back in Rome her gladiator boyfriend is having problems himself. His opponent in a big fights was poisoned but survived. It appears lots of money has been gambled on the outcome of the fight and the one to follow... So Claudia is also doing her best to help her man!
Plenty of action with twists and turns. Lots of historic details about Rome, early Christianity and gladiators.
Set in the reign of Emperor Constantine when Christianity is no longer proscribed but not yet the official religion. Young Claudia agent of Empress Helena is summoned to the imperial summer residence to solve the mystery of a stolen holy relic. The villa is hosting a debate between rival Christian factions as to whether God is the Trinity or if Jesus is a lesser person. Then someone starts killing off the Christian debators in horrifying fashions... Claudia now has 2 things to solve...
Meanwhile back in Rome her gladiator boyfriend is having problems himself. His opponent in a big fights was poisoned but survived. It appears lots of money has been gambled on the outcome of the fight and the one to follow... So Claudia is also doing her best to help her man!
Plenty of action with twists and turns. Lots of historic details about Rome, early Christianity and gladiators.
September 23, 2024
It is the time of Constantine, the Roman Emperor, who is trying to decide how to treat the newly emerging Christian faith, and murders are being committed close to the Emperor and his mother. Claudia the detective is trying to solve the gruesome murders. Same formula as the first book of the series.
January 22, 2013
Doherty tiene una habilidad curiosa. Es descriptivo y detallista, pero su descripción está lejos de ser pesada y aburrida. Esta obra de suspenso, más allá del engañoso título, tiene la cualidad de causar una rápida empatía por los personajes. Sin duda es digno de leerse con paciencia.
February 21, 2016
3 and half *:
Another time of Roman history, more than one plot to resolve. The end was satysfying.
Another time of Roman history, more than one plot to resolve. The end was satysfying.
July 17, 2022
Very good as Paul Doherty always is.
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